Tonga ready to face challenge of ’19 Games

Tongan sports officials expressed confidence that they could pull through hosting the 2019 Pacific Games in Nuku’alofa to downplay earlier reports that they are having problems in organizing the quadrennial sporting event.

Representatives of the Tonga 2019 Pacific Games Organizing Committee pose during the closing ceremony of the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. (PNG2015 Facebook)

Tonga received the hosting rights from Papua New Guinea during last Saturday’s closing ceremony of the XV Pacific Games at the Sir John Guise Stadim.

Tongan National Olympic Committee secretary general Takitoa Taumoepeau and Tonga Pacific Games Association president Lady Robyn Tu’ivakano said in an interview with The Fiji Times that they are working closely with the government of His Majesty King Tupou VI and the private sector for the successful hosting of the Games.

Tonga Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva and Tonga Amateur Sports Association and National Olympic Committee vice president Ahongalu Fusimalohi, in a separate interview by Radio Australia, said they are doubtful on the Pacific nation’s hosting of the XVI Pacific Games.

Pohiva noted that Tonga’s “financial position was at an unsatisfactory level and it might be impossible to prepare well for it.”

The Tongan leader said they would have to ask for funds from donor partners to deliver a Pacific Games that could pass regional and international standards.

Fusimalohi told Radio Australia that a cloud of uncertainty looms on Tonga’s hosting of the Games based on “the current level of planning and preparation.”

“I’m lost for words. We had a plan—seven years of fundraising and seven years of planning to 2019. The politicking in Tonga has been quite unprecedented with regards to the Games,” said Fusimalohi, who added that people who are involved in the initial planning stages were not allowed to join the Games Organizing Committee.

“We had plans for business franchising and how we can generate that revenue without even touching on taxes. The new committee took another two years to do a new plan,” Fusimalohi said.

He said the main issue is the question of time and funding in order to build additional infrastructure and facilities in time for the Games. “If we do get the money, can we actually make it by 2019 to have all this infrastructure up? And that’s three years from now.”

“Tonga cannot afford not to host the Games. If we don’t host the Games, Tonga will not in the foreseeable future, ever get the Games back.”

Even the Pacific Games Council is also concerned on the way things are going on Tonga’s planning saying that they are “almost two years late in preparing for the Games.”

Taumoepeau, however, downplayed the recent calls for Tonga to pull out of hosting the Games. He said that there were certain sectors of the Tongan community who are against in holding the Pacific Games.

But he assured that their preparations are in full swing and going ahead as planned. “Overall, we are working well with the Pacific Games Council and the government.”

In the last few days, there have been calls from the government and the country’s chamber of commerce to pull out of hosting the prestigious event”.

Tu’ivakano, on the other hand, said during the closing ceremony as Tonga took over the reins of organizing the Games four years from now that PNG hosting “have left a legacy to be cherished by all of us here.”

“His Majesty King Tupou VI and the government of the kingdom of Tonga are committed and deeply honoured to be hosting the 16th Pacific Games in four years’ time. Welcome to the Friendly Islands. Our people, our Games, God bless us all!”